This will be an interesting match up with Memphis’s young front line taking on Tim Duncan. Hopefully Blair and Splitter step it up and take some of the pressure off Tim but the Spurs will have their hands full with Z-Bo and Marc Gasol.Even without Rudy Gay Memphis is dangerous and athletic . They’ve also given the Spurs trouble this year. Despite all that however, Coach Pop has been extremely smart with the minutes of his stars this year and they will be fresh for the playoffs to play extended minutes. Memphis gives them a tough time, but Spurs will ultimately prevail.

Probably the most lopsided series in the West, especially since the Hornets have lost David West for the entire year. LA got a break avoiding Portland with Kobe’s clutch 3 against the Kings and they also avoided a serious injury to Bynum the other day. I expect the Lakers to win this easily, losing one game simply because they got bored.

Prediction: Lakers 4-1

3.Mavericks vs 6. Blazers

Remember when the Warriors made a mid-season trade for a Stephen Jackson and upset the Mavericks? Well the Blazers made a mid-season trade for Gerald Wallace and I think the same thing will happen.

Prediction: Blazers 4-2

4.Thunder vs 5.Nuggets

Denver is playing really well with no superstar and the Thunder are playing at a very high level now. The PG match-up will be really important in this series and Eric Maynor will need to be able to keep the production up when Westbrook is resting because Lawson and Felton will not let up.Denver’s unpredictability and versatility on the offense end make them very dangerous, which OKC has two legit crunch time players that can win a game by themselves. This series will come down to defense and protecting the rim, which OKC now has a FORT, with Perkins and Ibaka roaming down low. Their ability to protect the rim when the game gets tight will make the difference.